A pink and white lady-slipper

If you’re an avid outdoorsy-person or someone who is looking to learn more and do more in the great outdoors, a great resource is Nature Manitoba. Nature Manitoba  is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 1920 as the Natural History Society of Manitoba (later known as the Manitoba Naturalists Society), “for the popular and scientific study of nature”.  The goal of the organization is to promote an appreciation and understanding of nature, and to preserve and enjoy it.

Nature Manitoba offers a wide variety of indoor and outdoor programs year-round, and advocates for the protection of our natural environment. You can check here for a full range of outdoor activities – that include both physical activities such as canoeing, hiking, cycling, snowshoeing, camping, cross-country skiing, and other outdoor recreational pursuits – as well as bird-watching and other educational workshops.

The birding link is pretty cool, as it features a slide show that includes a turkey vulture (which is a vulture, not a turkey, or a vulture-turkey hybrid). These birds are great to see in the wild, as they are so huge that they are still visible when flying high in the sky.

Two other great aspects of Nature Manitoba is the bi-monthly newsletter that always has interesting stories and profiles and the garden tour – which is especially good for urban gardeners who are looking for some ideas for their own backyards. Memberships are relatively inexpensive, and funds go towards a good cause. Find out more by exploring their website, and perhaps signing yourself up.

If you’re into gardening, check out my previous post on Where to Go for Prairie Plants.